Trash Container

ABSTRACT

A trash collection device having a body for containing trash, a cover hingeable to the body. The body has an opening for receiving a connector that is connectable to an external structure. The body has a flat surface for mounting against an external structure.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/126,554 filed Apr. 29, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to trash receptacles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The amount and collection of trash is an ever-growing problem. This is especially true in consumer sectors where a large amount of refuse is discarded daily. Most consumers have trash receptacles adjacent to their homes for collecting trash generated in or around the home. The contents of the trash bins may be collected or disposed of on a regular basis, for example by curb side pickup.

When people are outdoors they may not take the time to take their trash to a garbage receptacle inconveniently located a long distance from the trash origination location. Consequently, this presents problems people who are enjoying the great outdoors. Therefore, the trash may be left on the lawn, in the streets, and in the sewer drainage thereby polluting the environment.

The inventor recognized that it would be advantageous to have a trash container for storing paper, bottles, glass cans, and other trash, that is mountable to an upward extending structure.

The inventor recognized that it would be advantageous to have a trash receptacle that can be secured outdoors to fixtures including horizontal or vertical application, such as, railings, horizontal posts, terraces, porches, gates, decks, or balconies. The inventor recognized that it would be advantageous to have a trash receptacle that is configured to be mounted with removable straps or another suitable hanger for secured placement.

The inventor recognized that it would be advantageous to have a trash receptacle that can be secured to flat wall surfaces including brick, siding, drywall or wood to increase the usability in indoor or outdoor locations. The trash receptacle is also configured to be attached to a wall mount for flat surface mounting. The increased usability may be obtained by mounting the receptacle in a position raised above the floor or ground so as to free said floor or ground for alternative uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The trash collection device of the invention provides has a body for containing trash, a cover hingeable to the body. The body has an opening for receiving a connector that is connectable to an external structure.

In an embodiment, the body comprises a flat surface for mounting against an external structure.

In an embodiment, the opening comprises two opening each for receiving a connector that is connectable to an external structure.

In an embodiment, the body has a base and an upper portion. The upper portion extends under the base to support the base.

In an embodiment, the base and the upper portion of the base are each integrally molded components.

In an embodiment, the cover has a handle, and the body had a latch. The handle is releasably engagable with a latch for securing the cover over the body in a closed condition. The handle may have a push button release for engaging and releasing the latch.

In an embodiment, the body has a hinge mount. The hinge mount has at least one spring element for biasing the cover towards an open position.

In an embodiment, the device has a mount plate connectable to the body for attaching the device to an external surface. The mount plate is connected to the body by at least one spacing connector, where the spacing connector separates the body from the from the mount plate.

In an embodiment, the spacing connector has end portions, and the mount plate has engaging receivers, the end portions are sildably engageable with engaging receivers to connect the spacing connector to the mount plate.

In an embodiment, the spacing connector has end portions, and the body has engaging receivers. The end portions are sildably engageable with engage receivers to connect the spacing connector to the body.

In an embodiment, the body has a back with vertically extending impression areas, and wherein the opening is located in a top portion of the impression areas.

An advantage of trash collection device is that it enables users to mount a trash receptacle in very convenient places such as outside of one's residence or corporate buildings. Another advantage of the trash collection device is that it enables a user to open a trash cover with ease by the push of a button.

Another advantage of trash collection device is that the device can be left in place and emptied by lifting a plastic liner out of the trash container.

Another advantage of trash container is that it can be installed on flat wall surfaces such as brick, siding, drywall, wood, etc. for additional space saving benefits indoors or outdoors. The space saving benefits are realized because the container may be suspended above the floor or ground, and therefore frees the floor or ground space for other uses.

Yet another advantage of trash collection device is that it can be installed on fencing, railings, decks, etc without modifying the trash container or an external support structure, such as a fence railing. Trash collection device can be used to store bulk materials in outdoor or indoor locations.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a trash collection device or container of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a second front perspective of a the container with a cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the container with the cover removed;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the container with the cover removed;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of the cover;

FIG. 6 is a third perspective view of the container;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the container;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken of the mount;

FIG. 9 is a second rear perspective view of the container; and

FIG. 10 is a third rear perspective view of the container attached to an exterior structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/126,554 is incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 shows the portable trash collection device or container 100 in a closed condition. Container 100 may have a semi round shape across a front wall of the container 100 as shown in FIG. 2. The container 100 includes a body 110 having a semi round cavity with a hinged cover 130 and a reinforced bottom floor 140. The body 110 fits over the folded sections of bottom floor 140 as shown in FIG. 4 to reinforce the bottom of the container 100. The bottom 140 has holes for draining liquids that may accumulate in the container 100. In another embodiment the bottom and the body maybe made as one unitary part.

The cover 130 has a handle 132. The handle connects and secures to a latch 134 of the body 110. The latch 134 is releaseably engagable with the handle 132. The handle 132 may comprise a push button release whereby the latch is released when the handle is pushed downward.

As shown in FIG. 2, the body contains a hinge section that is integral with the top of back wall. Cover has a front lip with push button. The back as shown in FIG. 3 has a pair of horizontal directed slots. As shown in FIG. 6, tabs fit upwardly through slits so that back section can hold the cover in position.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 9, and 7, show a back 114 of the container 100 has a pair of vertical impression areas 118 a, 118 b that extend from the bottom of the body 110. The back may be generally flat in shape. The vertical impressions have ends 118 c, 118 d on the back 114 below the top perimeter 112. The ends 118 c, 118 d extend from the inner portion of the impressions toward the outer portions of the back 114 creating a substantially horizontal surface. The ends 118 c, 118 d each have retaining exit strap holes 116 c, 116 d respectively. The back has two hinge mounts 120, 122. The hinge mounts 120, 122 each have entry strap holes 116 a, 116 b, respectively. The exit strap holes 116 c, 116 d, correspond to the entry strap holes 116 a, 116 b, respectively. It is understood that the exit strap holes and entry strap holes could be swapped in their function so that the exit strap holes operate as entry strap holes and the entry strap holes operate as exit strap holes. The entry holes receive the straps which extent out the exit holes. As shown in FIG. 10, straps 150, 152 may be used to secure the container 100 to an exterior structure, such as a fence 1010, a wall or another upward extending structure. The mount may supportably connect the device to an upwardly extending structure so as to suspend the device above the ground or an underlying surface.

FIG. 4. shows the hinge mounts 120, 122. The hinge mounts 120, 122 each have a support 144, 146. The hinge mounts have pivot bars 140, 142. Pivot connectors are formed in the hinge mount extensions 137, 138 pivot of the top 130. The pivot connectors are c-shapped and engagable with the pivot bars 140, 142. The pivot connectors have a spring engagement element. The spring engagement elements engage springs 148, 149 of the hinge mounts 120, 122. The springs bias the cover 130 towards an open condition, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and 10 when engaging the spring engagement elements. When the latch 134 is released, the springs bias the cover towards an open condition to provide access to the interior of the container.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a container 100 having a mount 160. The back 114 is connected to the wall mount 160 by support connectors 162 and 164. The wall mount 160 has a wall side 160 a and a container side 160 b. The support connectors 162, 164 slidably engage the support connector engagement members 124, 126. The support connectors 162, 164 engage receivers 168, 169, respectively of the mount 160. FIG. 8 shows one of the support connector 162 and the mount 160 in detail. The support connectors 162 and 164 are identical. A wall engagement end 162 b of the support connectors slidably engages the support connector engagement member 168. The engagement member 168 has a bottom stop 168 a that prevents the support connector 162 from exiting the engagement member 168 in the A direction. The mount engagement end 162 b engages the receiver 124 wall 114. The mount 160 has a number of holes 167 a, 167 b, 167 c for securing the mount 160 to an external surface. The mount is attachable to an exterior structure, such as a wall, so as to support the device 100.

As shown in FIG. 10, a bag 1002 can be inserted into the cavity of the body 110 and the open end of the bag is folded over the top perimeter 112 of the body 110. The bag 1002 may be held in place when part of the open end of the bag 1102 is slid between the body member 110 and the cover 130 when the cover is in a closed condition. The bag 1002 may also be held in place by securing the bag around the outside of the top perimeter 112 with a tightening string or strap (not shown). This holds the upper portion of bag in a tight relationship relative to the top of container. Cover 130 closes on top of the open bag.

The container 100 may be made of corrugated plastic, aluminum, steel, or another durable material. The surfaces of the container may be coated with material that resists water, snow, ice and the like. Printed matter and color can be applied to the container. While the container may be useable with other items, it is particularly configured for containing trash and recycling items.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. 

1. A collection device comprising: a body; a cover hingable to the body; and wherein the body comprises an opening for receiving a connector that is connectable to an external structure.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a flat surface for mounting against an external structure.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the opening comprises two openings each for receiving a connector that is connectable to an external structure.
 4. The device of claims 1, wherein the body comprises a base and an upper portion.
 5. The device of claim 4, where the upper portion extends under the base to support the base.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the base and the upper portion are each integrally molded.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a handle, and the body comprises a latch, the handle is releasably engagable with a latch for securing the cover over the body in a closed condition.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the handle comprises a push button release for engaging and releasing the latch.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover is hinged to the body.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a hinge mount; the hinge mount has at least one spring element for biasing the cover towards an open position.
 11. The device of claim 1, comprising a mount plate connected to the body for attaching the device to an external surface.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the mount plate is configured to connect to an upwardly extending external surface to support the device in a suspended position above an underlying surface.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the mount plate is connected to the body by at least one spacing connector, where the spacing connector separates the body from the from the mount plate.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the spacing connector comprises end portions, the mount plate comprises engaging receivers, and the body comprises engage receivers, the end portions are slideably engageable with the engaging receivers of the mount plate or the engaging receivers of the body.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a back having horizontally extending impression areas, and wherein at least one opening is located in a top portion of at least one impression area.
 16. The device of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a back having horizontally extending impression areas, at least one opening is located in a top portion of at least one of the impression areas, the spacing connector connects to the body in at least one impression area.
 17. A collection device for containing trash, recyclable, or storage items comprising: a body for containing items; a cover hingeable to the body; and wherein the body comprises an opening for receiving a connector that is connectable to an external structure.
 18. The device of claim 17, comprising a mount plate connected to the body for attaching the device to an external surface.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the mount plate is connected to the body by at least one spacing connector, where the spacing connector separates the body from the from the mount plate; and the mount plate is configured to connect to an upwardly extending external surface to support the device in a suspended position above an underlying surface; and the spacing connector comprises end portions, and the mount plate comprises engaging receivers, the end portions are slideably engageable with engaging receivers to connect the spacing connector to the mount plate; and the body comprises engage receivers, the end portions are slideably engageable with engage receivers to connect the spacing connector to the body.
 20. A method of storing items, comprising the steps of: providing a body for holding items, providing a mount plate for mounting the body to upwardly extending structure, said mount plate connected to said body with at least one spacing connector; providing a cover attached to the body and biased toward an open position by at least one biasing element and a latch for holding the cover in a closed position; releasing the latch; and placing items inside the body. 